Thinking Aloud on the Journey…

We Can’t Talk About That

Every two weeks or so, I compile a two-page bulletin insert entitled “Christian Citizenship.” The purpose is to help members of our congregation become aware of human care issues that beg a response from Christian citizens. I’m very disappointed to hear that the insert is upsetting to some. “We shouldn’t be putting this in our bulletin,” said one. “We can’t talk about these things,” said another.

What things? The topics highlighted in “Christian Citizenship” include abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia, creation/evolution, health care insofar as funding abortion or Planned Parenthood is concerned, marriage and family, same sex “marriage,” homosexuality, and persecution of Christians. I take special care to focus only on those issues where God’s Word speaks. And, to make sure I stay on track, I submit every edition to my pastor for his approval or suggested changes.

I’m disappointed that some Christians are upset, but I’m not surprised. Years of experience in Lutherans For Life have taught me that too many Lutherans specifically and Christians in general consider abortion, for example, as a “political issue.” Abortion is not a political issue. It’s a moral issue. And God speaks to it: “Thou shalt not kill.” A younger generation, more pro-life than their parents, acknowledges that abortion ends the life of a baby. They’ve seen the ultrasound images. They know that a baby’s heart begins beating 18-24 days after conception and brain waves are present at 43 days. Lutheran students learn in confirmation classes that God “knits [us] together in [our] mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13b). Roe vs. Wade may have legalized abortion and the media may try to politicize it, but only God can create life; therefore, only God can take that life. Abortion is a moral issue and because God speaks about protecting the human life He has made, we must, too.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Matthew 5:13-15). The Christian is called to be “salt and light” in this world where many wrong things — like abortion — are called right.

If discussions of morality, i.e. abortion or same-sex “marriage,” can’t be had in the church, does it follow that we can’t talk about issues of faith outside the church?